Bush and the Senate are pulling the old bait and switch.
Bush is very concerned about the borders of Anbar Province but he could care less about OUR border in Arizona. That's the essence (and the essential problem) of his presidency and why he does not connect with the RP base.
"Bush and the Senate are pulling the old bait and switch."
I fear that is the plan. It will backfire on the Repubs if they do.....they don't seem to understand the power of an ignored citizenry. Are they so ignorant as to simply rule out the exercise of that power?
The closest analogy to the current situation is the way King George III and his government ignored the American colonists and their pleas for self determination. Their arrogance forced a rebellion against the crown that resulted in the formation of the United States.
Temporarily placing NG troops on the border would be an insult to the intelligence of anyone desiring meaningful enforcement of our existing laws. We must build the fence, man the gates (permanently if necessary), and control the flow into this country. Then, and only then, should we consider what to do with the millions of illegals already here.
And one more thing: GW should publically apologize for referring to the Minutemen as vigilantes. Appearing with their leadership in a public display of cohesiveness will go far to legitimize any of his efforts to enforce the laws already on the books. (If he can embrace Vincente Fox, why not American patriots?)